Get Outdoors in Granite City
Take a walk through a re-imagined city block at the Granite City Art & Design District, go fishing at Horseshoe Lake State Park, or visit the famous Chain of Rocks Bridge on Route 66! Go for a swim, lace up your ice skates, play a round of golf, or hit Madison County Transit Trails on foot or bike- there're so many fun ways to get outdoors in the City of Steel!
Outdoor Recreation
Chain of Rocks Bridge- W Chain Of Rocks Rd.
Once an automobile bridge stretching 5,300 feet over the wild Mississippi River, the Chain of Rocks Bridge, built in 1929, stretches between Granite City in southwest Illinois and the outskirts of St. Louis in eastern Missouri. Known for an unusual 30 degree turn in its middle, the bridge gets its name from a natural feature of the Mississippi just south of the bridge- a chain of rocks that drops several feet in a shallow area of the river and creates a series of rapids.
Restored as a footbridge by Trailnet in 1998, the well-known Route 66 destination is now a gathering place for pedestrians and cyclists and has even been featured in marathons and cycling events. The Chain of Rocks Bridge is the perfect backdrop for a unique photo op and is now one of the few pedestrian-only bridges that cross the great rivers.
Granite City Art & Design District (GCADD)- 1822 State Street
Fall into an urban explorer’s wonderland in a place imagined by both artists and horticulturists. Where once there was only decay, dedicated Granite City residents and visitors have been hard at work revitalizing an area long deserted.
Centered on a set of once abandoned buildings and lots downtown, the Granite City Art and Design District non-profit are redeveloping the site as garden space complete with outdoor sculptures, a ten-person swing, and multiple art galleries.
The city and nonprofit have been breathing new life into the abandoned shopping district, turning once junk-filled ruins into natural park land filled with wildflowers, walking trails, and re-imagined buildings.
Horseshoe Lake State Park- 3321 Highway 111
Whether you're a hunter, a hiker, a boater or just get some fresh air, Horseshoe Lake has something for everyone. Waterfowl hunters can utilize the public hunting blinds located around the lake. Fishermen can enjoy the lake filled with channel catfish, bass, crappie, bluegill, carp and buffalo. The park has two playgrounds and public nature trails where visitors can see native plants and wildlife and go bird watching
Legacy Golf Course- 3500 Cargill Road
The Granite City Park District offers an 18-hole public golf course at Legacy. The golf course was designed by Hale Irwin, and was originally managed by his firm for the first few years. The Granite City Park District took over ownership of Legacy in October of 2009.
Arlington Green Golf Course- 200 Arlington Drive
Arlington Greens Golf Course consists of an 18 hole, par 72 facility with a length of approximately 7,200 yards. Arlington Greens features a clubhouse complete with a bar and pro shop, banquet hall, driving range, and putting green. Tournaments can be scheduled on weekdays or weekends.
Granite City Ice Rink- 2900 Benton St.
The Granite City Ice Rink, located in Wilson Park, offers the community of Granite the opportunity to enjoy a wide variety of recreation during the fall and winter months. These include public ice skating sessions, figure skating, as well as ice hockey for numerous local ice hockey clubs.Public sessions are held Fridays 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m., Saturdays 7:45 p.m.- 9:45 p.m., and Sundays 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Wilson Park Pool- 2900 Benton St.
Another seasonal recreation center located in Wilson Park is the large public Wilson Park Pool, traditionally open Memorial Day Weekend through the end of August when students return to school. The pool hosts public swim for all ages Monday from 12 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. and Tuesday – Sunday 12 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. There is also adult-only swim Monday – Friday 11 a.m. – 12 p.m., Tuesday – Thursday 5:45 p.m. – 6:45 p.m., and Saturday 10:15 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Madison County Transit Trails- throughout Madison County
Accessible from multiple points in Granite City, the MCT Trails system is a Class One bikeway connecting the communities of Madison County together over 130 miles of paved and rock trails. The trail system can be used by walkers, runners, cyclists, skaters, skateboarders, and even electric scooters, hover boards, and more! MCT Trails are accessible to wheelchair users including motorized wheelchairs. The trails are open dawn to dusk and furry friends are welcome.
Looking for a way to get active indoors in Granite? Visitors can also check out Brown Recreation Center that offers an indoor walking area for seniors, gymnastics classes, co-ed volleyball, health classes, and more or check out the Lincoln Place Community Center which offers indoor gym rentals.
Granite City Parks
It’s Electric Neon Sign Park on Route 66
The past comes to life in Granite City at It's Electric Neon Sign Park! Home to three gorgeously restored neon signs from Granite City's past as well as two larger than life murals and a love lock Chain of Rocks Bridge model, the Neon Sign Park celebrates the history of Granite on America's Mother Road. Each sign, the Hudson Jewelers, Reese Drug Store, and Washington Theatre, belonged to well-known businesses in the city and date back to the early 20th century- you can read a brief history of each business on the plaques at their base.
Take a drive through the Last 100 Miles of Route 66 in Illinois and make a stop at the park, put a love lock on the bridge, and visit the whimsical businesses downtown- the park is a great photo opportunity day or night, and the neon signs are on from dusk 'til dawn!
Wilson Park- 2900 Benton St.
One of the largest and most popular parks in Granite at 74 acres, Wilson Park hosts community events throughout the year and offers pickleball, tennis, and basketball courts, baseball/softball diamonds, walking trails, a public swimming pool, the Granite City Ice Rink, playgrounds, and a prairie/songbird site. Wilson Park offers one of the largest ADA accessible playgrounds in the Midwest and also has concessions and restrooms, picnic tables, and picnic shelters that can be rented for events.
Civic Park- 20th and Delmar St.
Nestled in Granite City’s downtown, one-acre Civic Park is home to the Civic Park Concert Series held annually and a community hub for downtown events like Granite’s Civic Park Concert Series, the Halloween themed Magic & Mayhem in Granite City Festival, and much more.
Worthen Park- Maryville St. and Parkview Drive
Worthen Park features a football field, soccer fields, a baseball/softball diamond, concessions and restrooms, and a dog park for outdoor fun with furry friends.
Veterans Parkway- Veterans Parkway
Veteran’s Parkway is a 20 acre park with a large, flat green space and gazebo.
Loman Park- 2412 Rock Road
Find a softball diamond, basketball courts, concessions and restrooms, and a playground, at this 11.2 acre park.
Rode Park- Amos and North St.
A small park at the corner of Amos and North St., Rode Park offers picnic shelters, picnic tables, and playground equipment.
Frohardt Park- 2040 Johnson Road
A small park at 4.8 acres, Frohardt Park offers a softball field.
Tri-City Park- McCambridge Parkway
Tri-City Park offers picnic tables and a playground on 3.5 acres.
Robertson Park- Edwards and Katie St.
This two-acre park offers playground equipment and swingsets.
Stearns Park- 2165 Amos St.
Visitors seeking to play volleyball can find a court, picnic shelter, picnic tables, and playground equipment at Stearns Park.
Triangle Park- Rock Road
Triangle Park provides playground equipment and flat green space perfect for playing outdoor games.
Memorial Park- 21st and Madison Avenue
Memorial Park is a one-acre park named for the veteran’s memorial monument at its center.